Komedia (Brighton)

Komedia (Brighton) presents a diverse arts and entertainment programme of comedy, music, cabaret, theatre and kids shows, featuring local, national and international performers. Komedia’s resident shows include the Kronenbourg Krater Comedy Club, The Kroon Kat Lounge, The Treason Show and Bent Double. This arts venue is located on Gardner Street in the North Laine area of Brighton, Brighton and Hove, England, United Kingdom.

History

Komedia (Brighton) was formed in 1994 by Colin Granger, Marina Kobler and David Lavender, beginning as a theatre and cabaret bar in a converted Grade II-listed former billiard hall in Brighton's Kemp Town area.

At that time, Komedia promoted the burgeoning talents of many young performers including Graham Norton, Mel & Sue, Johnny Vegas, The Right Size, Al Murray, Jenny Éclair, Peepolykus, Alistair McGowan, Omid Djalili, Rhona Cameron and The League of Gentlemen.

Within a few years, the tiny venue had proved so popular that the company was forced to expand, and in 1998, Komedia moved into a former Tesco supermarket on Gardner Street in the North Laine area of Brighton.

In addition, Komedia has strong roots in physical theatre, and was a co-founder of the Aurora Nova programme at St Stephens, which runs during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Komedia (Brighton) today

Since its relocation, Komedia (Brighton) has grown to include three very different spaces, each with its own bar: Komedia Upstairs, Komedia Downstairs and the intimate Studio Bar, as well as a street-front café and Box Office on Gardner Street, in the heart of Brighton’s bustling North Laine.

Programme

As well as its resident shows, like the Kronenbourg Krater Comedy Club every weekend - hosted and run by Stephen Grant - Komedia (Brighton) thrives on diversity and has a local, national and international programme, which includes work for children. It spans a huge range of entertainment: from theatre and music through to the far corners of cabaret, comedy and live literature. There are no boundaries so long as the work is fresh and exciting.

Food & Drink

As well as having the bar open at every performance, Komedia (Brighton) serves food at many seated shows. Themed menus are available at certain events. Food vouchers can be purchased in advance.

Brighton Festival Fringe

Komedia is a major player in the Brighton Festival Fringe every year, and in 2007, won the Latest Festival Award for Best Venue in the Brighton Festival and Fringe.

Komedia Entertainments

Komedia operates a management and production arm which represents emerging and established talent. Reflecting Komedia's core values and areas of expertise, the company works with leading character, physical and musical sketch comedy acts together with distinctive music artistes.

Komedia Entertainment has produced numerous five-star and Perrier Comedy Award recognised Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows together with national and international tours. The company also produces comedy and music CD & DVD releases, BBC Radio 4 series and is currently piloting several TV projects.

Future plans

Komedia has been chosen by Bath and North East Somerset Council to take on the lease of one of its most treasured historical buildings: The Beau Nash Picture House. A beautiful Grade II-listed art deco cinema previously operated by The Odeon Group. Plans are going ahead for Komedia (Bath) to open in Spring 2008.

External links

* [http://www.komedia.co.uk/brighton Official website]
[http://www.myspace.com/komediabrighton Komedia on MySpace]

References and Sources

* [http://www.komedia.co.uk/brighton Komedia official website]
* [http://www.komediaentertainment.com/index.php Komedia Entertainments official website]
* [http://www.brightonlife.com/news/the-relaunch-approaches-1643.html Brightonlife.com]
* [http://www.theargus.co.uk/search/display.var.960174.0.theatre_is_going_back_to_its_roots.php The Argus (Oct 06)]
* [http://www.theargus.co.uk/search/display.var.971411.0.stars_bid_farewell_to_comedy_venues_devoted_supporters.php The Argus (Oct 06)]